Jeremiah and Hananiah: How to identify false prophets in the modern world

You have probably been cautioned time and again not to believe everything you see and hear. This age-old advice still holds today, perhaps even more so.

The notion of false prophets might appear confined to the biblical era, but the uncomfortable truth is that they persist in our contemporary society. 

Moreover, with the advent of social media, false prophets now wield a far-reaching influence.

With this being said, the article aims to guide you in identifying false prophets today by drawing lessons from the biblical encounter between Jeremiah and Hananiah.

God’s warning against false prophets

Before recounting Jeremiah and Hananiah's encounter, be aware of God's solemn warning against false prophets. 

Now, consider that the devil always perverts what God establishes. 

God ordained prophets and prophecy to establish communication with His people. Because of this, the devil sought to craft something deceptive and misleading.

Throughout history, God provided a steady revelation through His appointed prophets who fearlessly declared, "Thus says the Lord," standing as messengers of divine truth. 

Over time, many others emerged, claiming the same role. Yet, their messages stemmed not from God but from their convictions.

Jeremiah 23:16-18 sheds light on this matter, stating, 

"Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you; they make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord. They continually say to those who despise Me, 'The Lord has said, "You shall have peace"'; and to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, 'No evil shall come upon you.'"

God's righteous anger burned against these false prophets. They fed His people with deceitful words. In turn, leading them away from the true path of righteousness.

Jeremiah and Hananiah

Before the encounter with Hananiah, God had instructed Jeremiah to wear a yoke around his neck. This is to serve as a symbolic representation of the yoke of Babylonian servitude that Judah would soon endure. 

It was meant to convey a warning to the people of Judah. This was supposed to urge them to submit to God's appointed judgment through Babylon and not resist it.

In due time, Jeremiah crossed paths with Hananiah, another prophet. 

Hananiah, seemingly filled with conviction, boldly proclaimed that within two years, the yoke of Babylon would be broken. 

Moreover, the exiled vessels of the Lord's house, along with King Jehoiachin and the captives, would return to Jerusalem. 

His words sparked hope and elation among the listeners as they yearned for a swift end to their oppressive situation.

His false prophecies challenged Jeremiah's authority and dismissed his warnings. However, Jeremiah remained steadfast.

Moreover, in response to Hananiah's defiance, God spoke directly to Jeremiah. He reaffirmed the truth of his earlier prophecy on the prolonged Babylonian captivity. 

He also instructed Jeremiah to confront Hananiah and rebuke him in the presence of the people. 

Obeying God's command, Jeremiah declared that Hananiah's optimistic prophecies were nothing but lies, fabricated to mislead the people and to provide false hope.

He emphasized that God had not sent Hananiah as a prophet. And thus his messages were not rooted in divine revelation. Rather, they were the product of his misguided convictions.

As a result of this encounter, the people were faced with a critical choice: Were they to believe the false promises of Hananiah or trust in the steadfast word of God delivered through Jeremiah?

Ultimately, the truth prevailed. Jeremiah's prophecies were vindicated as events unfolded in accordance with God's plan.

How to identify false prophets

You need to know how to identify false prophets to avoid putting yourself in danger.

Accordingly, familiarize yourself with the following characteristics.

False prophets try to please you rather than bring profit to your heart

False prophets often tickle your ears. They say appealing and soothing messages that cater to your desires and emotions. 

By prioritizing pleasing you over-delivering God's truth, they hinder your spiritual growth and understanding. 

In turn, they are giving you false hope and leading you away from the genuine teachings that can truly transform and edify your heart.

False prophets have an underlying motive

While they may claim to be messengers of God, their true aim is to exploit the trust and vulnerability of their followers for their benefit. 

The dangers of this underlying motive are profound. 

When you follow a false prophet, you place your faith and trust in someone who is not genuinely concerned for your spiritual well-being. Hence, you will see no growth in your faith.

False prophets refuse to call out sin

By avoiding the subject of sin and its consequences, false prophets shield you from confronting the reality of your actions. This refusal to address sin keeps you trapped in a state of spiritual blindness. 

Moreover, it prevents you from experiencing true forgiveness and healing.

False prophets do not believe in repentance

False prophets may reject the necessity of repentance, promoting a dangerous belief that you do not need to turn away from sinful practices. 

By denying the importance of repentance, they deprive you of the opportunity for genuine transformation and reconciliation with God, endangering your spiritual well-being and eternal destiny.

False prophets look down on Christ’s people

False prophets may show arrogance and a condescending attitude toward sincere believers.

It may lead you to question the value of fellowship and unity within the body of Christ. 

In other words, their divisive behavior can isolate you from the supportive community of believers, hindering your spiritual growth and maturity.

False prophets use clever language and put up a nice appearance as a disguise

False prophets often use clever language and put up nice appearances. This is to mask their true intentions and deceive unsuspecting individuals. 

Through eloquent speech, charismatic charm, and seemingly pious behavior, they create an illusion of righteousness and divine authority. Beneath this lies a web of deception.

False prophets do not live a Christlike lifestyle 

While everyone is inherently sinful, false prophets knowingly and habitually engage in unrighteous behavior.

It means that you can observe how they contradict the principles they preach. This hypocrisy not only undermines their credibility.  

However, it also sets a harmful example for you, potentially causing confusion and disillusionment in your faith.

Seek a second opinion

If someone preached to you, declaring to be delivering God's message, but your gut feeling tells you that something may be amiss, trust your instincts and seek a second opinion. 

Remember, God's truth resonates deep within your heart. Any genuine message from Him will bring peace and alignment with His Word. 

Reach out to trustworthy and spiritually mature individuals. This includes your pastors, elders, wise believers, and other people who can offer you discernment and guidance in evaluating the message you received.

Additionally, turn to the Bible itself and study the scriptures diligently, seeking God's counsel through prayer and meditation. 

Compare the preached message with the teachings of the Bible to ensure that it aligns with the revealed Word of God.

When seeking God's truth in the Bible, start with prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding.

More so, safeguard yourself from falling into the snares of false prophets and walk confidently in His truth.

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